Former employee suing Phillips Exeter

EXETER — A former dining services employee at Phillips Exeter Academy is suing the prestigious prep school and her ex-boss, claiming she was sexually harassed and then fired after she complained.

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By Jason Schreiber

seacoastonline.com

By Jason Schreiber

Posted Jun. 27, 2014 at 2:00 AM

By Jason Schreiber
Posted Jun. 27, 2014 at 2:00 AM

» Social News

EXETER — A former dining services employee at Phillips Exeter Academy is suing the prestigious prep school and her ex-boss, claiming she was sexually harassed and then fired after she complained.

Monica D. Race of Portsmouth filed suit against PEA and her former supervisor, Randy Robichaud, last week in Rockingham County Superior Court.

Race claims she was subjected to unwanted sexual advances that created a hostile work environment.

According to the suit, Race was employed at PEA from Dec. 7, 2007, to May 30, 2013, as a facilities maintenance pot washer in the school's dining services department.

During her time of employment, the suit said Robichaud was the production manager in the dining services department and was Race's supervisor.

Race claims Robichaud sexually harassed her on numerous occasions. The harassment eventually caused her to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression, the suit said.

In March 2013, the suit said, Race complained to PEA's dean of faculty about the alleged harassment.

A short time later, she claims Robichaud warned her that she would "have hell to pay" if she filed any complaint against him, the suit said.

In April 2013, Race filed a complaint with the school's office of human resources, the suit said.

PEA conducted an investigation that concluded May 9, 2013. The suit said Race was reprimanded for an attendance issue on the same day the investigation wrapped up.

Race claims she was cited for other performance issues over the next two weeks, which she maintains was a pattern of "spiteful" and "vindictive behavior."

The suit said Robichaud fired Race on May 30, 2013, "allegedly for matters relating to her job performance." She claims she was fired because she opposed alleged sexually charged comments and advances.

Race filed a discrimination complaint with the New Hampshire Commission for Human Rights and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in July 2013, the suit said.

In her suit, Race claims she suffered lost wages and benefits and emotional distress, and is seeking an unspecified amount in damages.

Race argues that PEA, through the alleged acts of Robichaud, retaliated against her.

The suit also claims PEA "harassed, abused, intimidated, discharged, threatened or otherwise discriminated against (Race) regarding compensation, terms of her employment and privileges of employment because she reported, in good faith, or caused to be reported a violation of a law, specifically the sexual and other harassment by Robichaud."

Race's attorney, Brad Lown of Portsmouth, could not be reached for comment.

PEA spokeswoman Robin Giampa said she could not comment on pending litigation.

Robichaud's name is listed on the staff directory at PEA, but a woman who answered the phone in dining services said he no longer works there.